USC downs UC in Partner's Cup

CEBU, Philippines - The San Marino Corned Tuna-USC Warriors started like a house on fire and remained consistent the rest of the way to pin down the Enervon C-UC Webmasters, 77-74, and grab the solo second place in the CESAFI Partner’s Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Warriors caught the Webmasters flat-footed when they were hitting from the outside with relative ease to take a mind-boggling 30-8 lead early in the first period.

Since then, they kept their poise despite several comeback attempts by the Webmasters.

The closest UC could muster was to cut the deficit to five points, 63-68, in the final 2:40 of the contest on June Mar Fajardo’s three-point play.

In the return play, Giovanni Padillo scored on a five-point swing to give USC a 73-66 breather.

Sam Hermosa won his second best player of the game award after leading the warriors with 16 points.

Much-improved center Joven Cid Cortes added 14 points, while Padillo and Michael Cantonao had 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Warriors, who are now at second place with a 3-1 win-loss record.

The Webmasters, who dropped to third in a tie with the PTT Fuels-UV Lancers with 2-2 win-loss records, were led by Fajardo with 22 points. – GGM (THE FREEMAN)